Bug Out Bags

Written By Halie Kastl

From our Feb 2025 Session.

Skill Share Leader: Halie

Goal: Create a bag for each member of your family that will cover the most basic survival needs for a 5-7 day period.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

  1. How will you communicate with your loved ones during an emergency? What if cell towers are down? Does everyone know the plan?

  2. How will you manage and care for your pets during an emergency? What supplies will they need?

  3. Do you have everything you would need to permanently leave your state or country? I.e Passport, Birth Certificate, etc

  4. How often do you need to rotate the supplies you’ve chosen? Have you set a reminder to do so?

  5. Do you know how to use everything included in the bag? Ask Halie or others for help learning!

  6. Will I be able to cover the most critical elements of survival in order: 

    1. Warmth

    2. Shelter 

    3. Water

    4. Food

Remember:  The average healthy human will survive 3 hrs without protection from elements or warmth, 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food

When thinking about survival, even without preparation, we can also remember the 5 C’s

  1. Cutting tools

  2. Cover

  3. Combustible materials

  4. Cordage

  5. Containers

Bug out bags should serve your personal needs and (hopefully) the challenges you will face. For this reason, pre-made versions should be avoided. 

As a final note, please learn to use all items BEFORE you need them. Halie is happy to help with practice and answering questions at any time. 

Suggested Items

Most Critical:

  • 40-50L backpack with hip belt

  • Tent

  • Sleeping Bags or Blankets for each person

  • Battery or Crank powered light source (1 per-person)

  • Spare Batteries for Light Sources

  • 2 weeks of medications

  • 5-7 days of non-perishable food

    • Camp stove  (if food you’ve chosen needs heating)

    • Camp fuel (if food you’ve chosen needs heating)

    • pot/skillet/bowls utensils (if applicable to chosen food)

  • Warm Hat

  • Warm Gloves

  • Coat - warm layer, but also something that can be used as PPE

  • Rain Jacket, Poncho or tarp

  • PAPER MAPS, preferably water resistant (immediate area, and potential destinations)

  • Compass

  • 50ft rope/webbing

  • Sharp knife and/or Multi-tool

  • Cash

  • Critical Documents (Passport, SS Card, Id’s, Birth Certificates, Bank Info, Proof of Address, Copy of Home deed and Car title)

  • Water Bottles

  • Water Purification source (one or all of the following)

    • Gravity filter

    • In Bottle filter

    • Water Purification Tablets

  • High Quality First aid kit (Must contain the following)

    • Scissors

    • Tweezers

    • Splint

    • Alcohol

    • Neosporin

    • Suture kit

    • Large compresses

    • Bandages

    • tape/wraps

    • Benadryl

    • Ibuprofen

    • Any otc medication you use in times of discomfort

  • Lighter and/or Rain-proof matches

  • Bear Spray

  • Face Masks - n95 or better

  • Insect repellant

  • Toilet Paper, Wet wipes

  • 5 Changes of Socks, Underwear, etc

  • 2 sets of clothes - layering items are best

Very Useful, Potentially Lifesaving:

  • Travel size toiletries

    • Toothbrush

    • Toothpaste

    • Deodorant

    • Shampoo/Conditioner

    • Soap

    • Moisturizer

    • Detergent Packets

  • Firestarter brick

  • Flares and or Emergency Whistle

  • Power Bank, Charged - with charging cords

  • Extra charging cords for devices

  • AM/FM crank radio

  • Camp Stove and fuel

  • Basic Cooking supplies

  • Hand Sanitizer

  • Duct Tape

  • Eye Protection, Goggles

Good to have:

  • Inflatable or Packable Pillow

  • Sleeping Pad

  • Camp Lantern

  • Hatchet

  • Solar Panel Kit

  • Self-Defense (bat, gun and bullets, etc)

  • Leather work/garden gloves

  • Walktie-talkies and batteries

  • Instant Coffee packs

  • Garbage bags

  • Folding Shovel

  • Sewing Kit

  • Zip Ties

If you have pets: 

  • Leash and Harness

  • Food for 5-7 days

  • Long lead 25-50 feet

  • Pet first aid kit

  • Pet Medications

  • Pet boots/shoes (protect from glass and other hazards)

Paranoid, but useful:

  • Portable Faraday cage to store electronics in

  • Gas Mask

  • Iodine pills (radiation mitigation)

Halie Kastl
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